Unlocking the new finishes and applications of New Zealand bluestone

Improving efficiency and sustainability

Aside from the artistic advantages, the polishing machine's efficiency is a standout feature. “The previous machine operated 40-50 hours a week,” Kempf explains. “The new machine runs only 20 per cent of the time because it's more efficient.” This leap in productivity means that the company can meet increasing demand with fewer resources, highlighting its commitment to environmental sustainability.

However, this focus on sustainability extends beyond the machine. “We’re not importing stone from overseas; our bluestone comes from our own quarry in New Zealand. The majority of basalt products sold in New Zealand come from Asia," says Kempf.

However, Kempf remarks only a fraction of the stone from its quarry makes the cut for high-end projects. “We only use about 10 per cent of what comes out of the quarry, which is selected for its quality – some rocks are suitable for tiles while others are more suited to landscape or streetscape projects,” says Kempf. The rest is used for purposes like protecting riverbanks and ports, ensuring no organic material goes to waste.

Celebrating nature’s variations with bluestone 

Timaru bluestone is a basalt formed from volcanic lava that offers natural advantages for specifiers and homeowners on various commercial or lifestyle projects. It is ideal for internal and external applications because it has a naturally non-slip surface. According to Kempf, it's often used in civic projects where safety is critical, as well as house cladding, pool coping, bathroom tiles, and coffee tables.

The aesthetic appeal of bluestone is undeniable, "Our stone tends to advertise itself. People call up, asking if it's our bluestone coffee table in the Britomart hotel. And yes, it is," Kempf remarks. The distinctiveness of Timaru Bluestone products, from large bespoke pieces like fire hearths to small furniture items, adds to its growing reputation.

One of the unique aspects of the Timaru Bluestone’s basalt is its natural variation in colour and texture, which is derived from the volcanic origins of the stone. “Part of the beauty of our stone is the variation in colours, from blue, grey to warmer tones,” says Kempf.

Timaru Bluestone’s project highlights 

Timaru Bluestone’s bespoke projects are noteworthy additions to the design world, from private homes to public terminals.

• Queenstown House is surrounded by a rustic landscape complemented by the abundance of bluestone throughout the interior and exterior of the design. The masons at Timaru Bluestone carefully selected each beautiful, one-of-a-kind stone, creating this unique property.

• Auckland Experience Centre, by Fisher & Paykel, is the result of a design collaboration featuring incredible sculptural elements and natural materials representing Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei ancestral narratives, as well as luxury kitchens designed with Arclinea, Boffi and Henrybuilt. Supported by an adze-finished timber plinth crafted from 45,000-year-old swamp kauri sits a section of bluestone – this ‘hot rock’ contains an induction element used to brew kawakawa tea, a native plant with healing properties. In addition to the 'hot rock', a freestanding bluestone water feature adds to the overall ambience of the experience centre.

• One of the company’s most notable projects was a collaboration with Christchurch International Airport. The airport boasts a 125-metre-long wall of Timaru Bluestone running behind the check-in counters. The bluestone was subtly etched to represent the Waimakariri River, for which Canterbury is known for.